Meeting a client,

CyberSol · #1 03-03-2003, 04:36 PM

Hi guys,
I have had a phone call today and the man wants to meet me tommorow,
Well it'll be my first ever meeting with a client and I was wondering what I should do... What should I take? How should I plan it? Etc etc

Please help

Regards,
Sabre-Hosting

IGobyTerry · #2 03-03-2003, 04:39 PM

Dress up nicely obviously. Maybe take your terms of service stuff, overcharges information.

To plan it really, just kind of run through all of questions that you can think of. Ask family members who may not know much about web hosting on what type of questions they may ask. This will help so you're not stuck there being "UH.... well, ya see we run this." You don't want to fumble over your words it makes you look unconfident and stupid.

sitekeeper · #3 03-03-2003, 04:43 PM

If this is a business client (has a business website) learn a little about his business, their competitors and their websites, etc. I would need more info to tell you more. Be sure to ask if there is anything you could do to improve your service to them or any other ideas they might have.

Do you have any constructive ideas about their website or business?

IGobyTerry · #4 03-03-2003, 04:49 PM

Yes, show interest in their business, and what they do. It'll show them that you do care about their business. It'll also show them that you care about them as a client.... and so on.

CyberSol · #5 03-03-2003, 05:27 PM

Well they haven't mentioned anything for tommorow, all they mentioned was that they have multiple websites to be made and designed,

eddy2099 · #6 03-03-2003, 05:35 PM

Ah, are they also asking for web design from you too ? If so, load up your laptop with the web design you have done and bring that along with you.

If you have a promotional kit or package containing information about your service and portfolio, it would be helpful to bring that along too. Bring your name card too.

Since they are going to be face-to-face customers, you might want to carry your TOS/AUP and a hosting contract just in case you need to use it.

Don't try to be too pushy and do not act desperate. They might just want to see who you are, evaluate you for what you are worth. Having you in their office might be an indirect means of placing you in their territory and thus they may dictate their terms. Hold on to your ground and yes, you can make negotiations but just make sure that you are not disadvantaged or mistreated in any deals.

Have fun and do not lose sleep over it.

CyberSol · #7 03-03-2003, 06:18 PM

Its a shame I don't have a laptop

but I will print out my AUP and TOS, also what do you mean hosting contract? as in an order form kind of thing?
I'll also take along the plans and things offered with the plans,
Regards,

eddy2099 · #8 03-03-2003, 06:25 PM

Hosting Contract - Yup, the Order Form with your AUP and TOS and Privacy Policy and everything which has to do with the contract.

If you have your prior web designs, you could store them unto a CD-ROM and bringing it there to demo

You could probably leave that copy for them to evaluate. Of course, that is if you are providing a web design too.

sitekeeper · #9 03-03-2003, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CyberSol
Well they haven't mentioned anything for tommorow, all they mentioned was that they have multiple websites to be made and designed,

OK, well be prepared to explain in layman's terms things why they should host with you, why you started your business and your goals, if you are willing to the extra mile let them know it.

As for as your TOS goes I would keep that separate and let them know that it is a standard agreement in the hosting industry (unless you have something different) and to read it over later and see it if they have any questions. I have not read yours but to someone that has never read one, it can be scary looking! By that I mean one-sided with phrases like

"Provider reserves the right to cancel any account, at any time, without notice for any reason provider considers appropriate. At provider's discretion, access to providers Internet account may be revoked at any time for abusive conduct on the system and/or the Internet and its resources as a whole."

Do you understand what I mean?
Right after I started hosting a large Antique Mall with hundreds of dealers. almost all of them wanted their own websites, many with their own shopping carts. I met with them all at once and the TOS was something they all just couldn't understand. Many just signed it without reading it but other were not sure of the wording.

Just be prepared to explain all of the wording and it might be helpful to take a look at some of the Big Big Host's TOS and compare.

Good Luck again!!!

CyberSol · #10 03-03-2003, 06:51 PM

Thanks guys,

Well I'm off to find a suitable attire, am printing out the AUP as we speak, along with my plans and a list of things we offer with them,
Regards,

dbbrock1 · #11 03-03-2003, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CyberSol
Thanks guys, Well I'm off to find a suitable attire, am printing out the AUP as we speak, along with my plans and a list of things we offer with them,
Regards,

I don't know if it's different in Spain, but you should end sentences with periods, not commas. Make sure you fix that on your site if you haven't done so already.

PS: Just so you know, you're having a MySQL error on your main page.

Good luck on your meeting!

-Dan